Blonde ray

• Many small dark spots continuing to the very edge of the wings
• A longer, more pointed snout than a thornback
• Pale sandy-blonde disc
• Larger overall than a typical spotted ray

Can outgrow a spotted ray comfortably. A big blonde is a serious shore fish.

Colour

Blonde-sand with small dark spots to the wing edge.

Fins

Ray disc, longer snout.

Mouth

Underside.

Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.

• SandeelHead-hooked so it swims, or a Pennel through the head and the middle. Bind if you are casting far.Strong target
• MackerelA thin strip on a small hook; a side on a Pennel; a whole fish on a running tope rig.Good target
• SquidA strip on a flapper; a whole small squid or a wrap over fish on a Pennel.Good target
• Peeler crabPeel it, leave the catch-legs if you like, bind it on a Pennel so it survives the cast. Half a crab for wrasse, a whole for a hound.Possible target

• Pennel rigTwo hooks on one bait — one in the head, one in the body. The way to fish a crab, a squid wrap or a big worm.Intermediate
• Single-hook clipped-downThe bait is held against the leader with a bait clip so it flies as one and releases in the water. The way to punch a bait into a headwind.Advanced
• Pulley PennelA pulley lead with a Pennel hook length. The standard ‘I mean this bait’ rig for a winter or a ray session.Intermediate

Hooks: 3/0–6/0